Paltrow’s ‘Goop’ Has a Colon Cleanse

The Goop Cleanse, co-designed by Goop and Clean Program creator Dr. Alejandro Junger, contains protein, fiber, digestive enzyme and probiotic supplements that “help give your digestive system a break and also improve energy levels by bringing in high-quality vitamins and nutrients,” according to Junger. “Best of all, because you’ll be eating during this program, you won’t be left feeling hungry or tired which is typical of most cleanses.”

For 21 days, Goop cleansers will start the morning with a shake, eat lunch from an elimination diet menu boasting roasted squash over millet and “salmon salade nicoise,” and have another shake for dinner. Dairy, eggs, wheat and coffee are among 77 forbidden foods. The goal is to still consume at least 1,200 calories a day, which is low compared to the 1,600-to-2,000 recommended for women. To get the calorie count up, the Goop Cleanse manual recommends adding avocado or coconut oil to daily shakes.

“I’ve used Clean in the past with great results, losing a few pounds and kickstarting a healthier and more energetic New Year,” Paltrow wrote on Goop. The cleanse is designed for use every eight-to-12 months and costs $425.

Colon cleansing has been around for centuries. It can be accomplished in a number of ways, from supplements to colon hydrotherapy — an enema-like procedure that uses water to flush out the large intestine. Proponents claim it purifies the body by removing toxins that build up in the digestive tract, but some experts say the practice can do more harm than good.

“Despite colon cleansing’s long history and current popularity, the literature does not support its purported benefits,” Dr. Ranit Mishori of Georgetown University School of Medicine wrote in an August 2011 report published in the Journal of Family Practice. In fact, colon cleansing can cause painful side effects ranging from cramping to kidney failure, according to the report.

“The body is designed to detoxify itself,” Mishori told ABC News in August, adding there are safer ways to help it along, including diet and exercise.

But thanks to celebrity devotees like Paltrow, Beyonce and the Kardashians, more people are asking their doctors about colon cleansing.

Dr. Roshini Rajapaksa, assistant professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and author of What the Yuck?! The Freaky and Fabulous Truth About Your Body told ABC News supplement-based cleanses are generally safer than procedures like colon hydrotherapy, but added there’s no upside to either and potential downsides to both.

“You’re not necessarily getting all the nutrients you need,” she said of supplement-based cleanses that exclude several foods, like the Goop Cleanse. “There are definitely natural things people can do if they’re feeling a bit backed up, like upping fiber intake with fruits and vegetables and drinking a lot of water.”

Dhru Purohit, founding partner and CEO of the Clean Program agreed most cleanses are “garbage” akin to crash diets. But the Goop Cleanse, he insists, is different. The goal of the Goop Cleanse, he says, is to inspire healthy, long term lifestyle changes.

But, he adds, the cleanse isn’t for everyone.

“We’re big on education: Talk to your doctor. And if a cleanse isn’t right for you right now, you’ll for sure benefit from an elimination diet.”